Clothes prop holder



4 A. N. SINCLAIR ETAL 2,225,933

CLOTHES PROP HOLDER Filed April 29, 1938 flzcms N. swim? JOHN REILLY.

Patented Dec. 31, 1940 PATENT OFFICE CLOTHES PROP HOLDER Archie N.Sinclair and Application April 29,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to clothes line prop atta-chments and is moreparticularly direct-ed to a device of this character which may besecured to the upper end of a clothes line prop to grip and hold aclothes line in proper position with respect to the prop.

An object of the invention is to provide means for engaging ordisengaging the prop and the line without skill on the part of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterhaving a multiplicity of line gripping means for the convenience of theuser.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the kindindicated, which is substantially but simple in construction,economical, to manufacture, and particularly efficient and practical inuse.

Further objects and advantages will appear from a study of the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing,in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a form of the invention as applied to a prop;

Figure 2 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through one of the line engagingloops; and

Figure 4 is perspective View showing the interior of the fasteningplate.

Referring to the drawing, It indicates a portion of a clothes line propor stat which may I be of any suitable length. The prop Ill isillustrated as being made of wood, but it will be understood that othersuitable material may be used, as for example, metal or metal alloy,either of solid or tubular cross section.

At the upper end of prop l and embracing two opposite edges thereof, area pair of clips or plates I2 of like construction and thereforeinterchangeable. Plates l2 are preferably of channel form having sideflanges l3 engageable with the sides of the prop Hi. The plates areperforated as at Hi to receive screws IE5 or other suitable means foraflixing the plates to the prop. Thus a prop engaging portion isprovided, upwardly and inwardly from which extends a spring receiving.portion I6, flanged as at I]. A pair of integral, spaced tongues I8project from opposite portions of the flange l I.

Whenwthe plates l2 are assembled upon the prop in opposed relation,portions l6 converge slightly and suspend therebetween a spring 20,preferably of the helically coiled expansion type. .The spring ends aresecured in portions It by means of the tongues I8 bent inwardly andaround the end convolutions 2| of the spring. Spring 20 is compressedbetween the plate ends John Reilly, Toledo, Ohio 1938, Serial No.205,038

and due to the angularity of plate portions It the upper portions :ofthe convolutions are compressed to a slightly greater degree than arethe lower portions. Otherwise, the spring 20 is disposed generallyhorizontally and substantially parallel to the end of the prop l0.

The lower portions of the convolutions are spaced in comparatively closerelation and provide suflicient resilient force to firmly grip and holdthe clothes line, and particularly against undesirable lateraldisplacement. The more closely spaced upper portions of the convolutionsserve to prevent abnormal vertical displacement or disengagementfrom theclothes line. As more particularly illustrated in Figure 3, the adjacentconvolutions or line gripping loop distorts the clothes line to furtherenhance engagement therewith.

Due to the multiplicity of convolutions and therefore line engagingloops, it will be clear that the clothes line may be engaged between anyof the loops, it being unnecessary for the user to attempt to engage theline with a particular portion of the spring.

What We claim is! 1. In combination with a clothes line prop, a pair ofinwardly flanged plates embracing opposite edges of said prop, saidplates having portions projecting upwardly and inwardly beyond the endof said prop and adapted to receive a spring element, a coiled springinterposed between U said plate portions, the adjacent oonvolutions ofsaid spring being adapted to receive and grip a clothes line, andtongues integral with said plate portions for securely retaining saidspring in line receiving position.

2. In combination with a prop, a pair of flanged plates secured to oneend of said prop, said plates being provided with spring receivingportions disposed above the end of the prop, and a spring interposedbetween said spring receiving portions and having its ends interlockedwith said portions, said spring providing a plurality of loops forengaging a clothes line.

3. A clothes line holder comprising a prop, a pair of spaced plateshaving inwardly converging end portions at one end of said prop, and aspirally coiled spring interposed between said end portions adapted togrip a clothes line between two adjacent convolutions of said spring.

4.A clothes line holder comprising a prop, a pair of oppositely disposedflanged members secured to said prop, and a generally horizontallydisposed spring interposed between said members and tensioned thereby toprovide adjacent loops to grippingly engage a clothes line.

ARCHIE N. SINCLAIR. JOHN REILLY.

